Piplup (Japanese: ポッチャマ Pochama) is a Water-type Pokémon. It evolves into Prinplup starting at level 16, which evolves into Empoleon starting at level 36.
Along with Turtwig and Chimchar, Piplup is one of three starter Pokémon of Sinnoh available at the beginning of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
Piplup bears semblance to a penguin chick. It has yellow feet and a light-blue body. There are two white spots on its chest that seem to resemble buttons on a suit. It also appears to have a blue cape. It has a circular, blue head with white circles around its eyes and a small, yellow beak. The light blue mark between its eyes above the beak resembles a small crown. Piplup have a large sense of self-pride. Because of this, a Piplup has a hard time accepting food from humans, and don't like it when someone tries to help them. Piplup is a poor walker, and often falls down. Its pride, however, makes it puff up its chest without a care. It is a skilled swimmer, diving for over ten minutes to hunt. In the anime, it can sometimes fly short distances, despite penguins not being able to fly.